Rep. Schakowsky Issues Statement on Health Insurance Plans

WASHINGTON, Aug. 1 -- Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Illinois, chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus' Health Task Force, issued the following statement in response to the Trump administration's release of a rule allowing insurance companies to offer short-term plans for up to 3 years:

"Today's decision is a continuation of the Trump Administration's assaults on people with pre-existing conditions, women, and older Americans. This rule lets health insurance corporations profit by selling barebones policies that deny coverage for people with pre-existing conditions, impose high deductibles and copays with no out-of-pocket limits, and charge people age 50 to 64 higher excessively high premiums through an unlimited age tax.

"My mother used to say that you get what you pay for, and these junk plans may be cheap but they don't deliver much of anything. An April 2018Kaiser Family Foundation analysis of these short-term junk plans found that 71% don't cover outpatient prescription drugs, 62% don't cover opioid and substance abuse treatment, 43% don't coverage mental health services, and 0% cover maternity care. No one should be fooled into buying one of these junk plans thinking that it will protect them and their family.

"This is a shameful rule but it is not the last word. Governor Rauner can act today to protect individuals and families by signing HB2624 - legislation sitting on his desk -- that places limits on junk plans. The Illinois legislature has acted - it is time the Governor follows suit."